New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-22
BETTER BASEBALL WANTED.
NETWORK DEMANDS A CREDIrABLE NINE.

developed from an Insignificant sporting venture into
business institution of great proportions. Dlvidends,
small at hrs began to increase at gratifying rate,
and similar institutions in less fortunate localities
looked upon The local club with envy and wonder.
Inc incorporators OF the club thought at first that
there might be small profits in the venture, but their
widest hopes never oretod the final and rich success
| thcr venture would make. Baseball in the last rev
wears has dey oped wonderfully and in city is the
| development striking as in the metropolis Judging
from the record that tue club is making at present and
hao made in the last two years, the managers OF the
institution have not kept up with the times While
the number OF spectators has increased from hundreds
to thousands and the price of admission has been
doubled, effort has apparently been made to have
added attractions in recognition OF the increased at
tendance. Few years ago a club that ended the
season few hundred dollars ahead Of actual expenses
was considered one of Fortunes tavortes. Now most
vt the larger clubs clear annually from $4,000 to
100000 Take the eight League clubs for instance
out OF that number at least six will probably clear IL
the neghb1rhood OF $4,000 on the present season.
come. OF course, will in all probability clear more
| than that amount-tne New. York, Boston and Phila-
delpha clubs for instance In spite of the wretohed
manner in which of the clubs play, there is small
probability OF any one OF the eight actually losing
money.
| Tho profits Of the New-York club last year
large-hOw large ony the directors OF the club know,
| and they guard the secret well. The dividend de-
clared was probably larger than any other club has
|
of New-Yorkers enabled the cub to do so we'll and
yet what tho club done in return tor this geher
| osy Pat the old attractions on the field year
alter year, and some OF them are anquated enough to
have become tosslized by this time. Other clubs
with much less hearty support, have strengthened
| their mines by energetic management and liberal
| outlay OF money. Why cannot the New-Ycrk club,
with its better filed Golfers wake up and obey the
wishes of the public New. York is great city. IL
generally leads in other things yet allows others TO
a1,.1 III fal nf hn
directors cramped that they cannot see that with
| successful nine their profits would DO even larger
| than they at present Cannot they look far
enough beyond their to see that, with nine
capturing the championship OF the country, they
| would become imm0rtaLed in the eyes OF tho local
followers OF baseball And all they would have to DO
would be TO open a largo receiving vault and the
public would rush forward to pour in its hardearned
dollars. Jhsre is doubt that tho club could have
secured valuable players last fall but for the
present miserly policy. The directors claim that they
secured all the baseball talent that they could, and
yet look at the result of the catch Gore in centre
field a good player, il is true and a valuable man.
| Iietnan will also rove valuable aud Pitcher George
| and Catcher Brown may in tune become baseball
phenomena. Then again they may not. There has
| been nothing phenomenal about their work yet.
People who 20 to the Polo Grounds daily look at the
card and wonder how that aggregation OF sup
posed heavy batters possibly be beaten. The Stub
have led the country in batting-a record no other
club ia the country show They look further and
see Ewing Ward. DOrgan Deasley and one or two
others-all players OF great reputation Then they
look tue batting list OF the indianapolis, Washing
ton or Philadelphia clubs, rs the may be, and If
they know anything about baseball at oil they are
! willing TO bet 100 to SD that New-York ran win
easily-unoss tncy know just how the New-iork club
plays-and then they will not bet II cent.
The club is weak at second base Ewing is a great
/ hoo lint fAf
element in tue positions where Dunlap and Gerhardt
have become famous Richardson would do well
enough as a third baseman in minor League club;
but he far from the ideal third baseman In the local
public eve. Ward Jumping Jack at short stop
AT first lust after no failed pitcher but by care
Jul study he has in measure mastered the mysteries
of the place aud now DOES fairly well stiil, one
GnsscOck is worth n dozen Wards Gilespie and
WEIGH have outllycd their usefulness and had better
be sent to the farm where all good players hope to
spend their retired days
1t cannot, however. be denied that with the
material on hand tho club ought to BIO dong bettor
work than Il has done 30 far this year. JaDes Mutro
il a conscientious manager, and docs his part OF the
work as well n, any man could do IT, Still his move
mcnts have been hampered, and whom no saw chance
to secure q valuable player tho directors throw up
thor hands Ia horror when they saw the few dollars
suJh n courso would cost, and ordered Mutrie to
de,ist Some people say tho players are dissatisfied
and do not caro- whether the club wins or not. Their
work in the field OF late has frequently suggested that
idea If mortal is satisfied in this world the kid
cloved player OF the local CLUB ought to DO 80.
otbors seem TO think that tho club made fatal error
In auponting Ward captain OF the nine. lie is too
domineerlng nnd il OVERLOOKING with bgotry. The
club night try change OF captains with good results
Roger Connor is a man OF decision aud force, am
would be acceptable both to the players anu the
public He is nlso big enough to enforce his com
mands besdes being great iavorite with the players
ORourke is another geutlemanly player who could be
Amounted captain with good results Ok0urke has
held the position in other mines and done good work
lie is moro of dlscplinarian than Ward and would
undoubtedly get better work out OF the team Some
thing has got to be dOneand quickly, too Inc man
apemeut at present ia lighting public opinion, and
nobody ever did that and came out 1T the big end CT
the horn The directors appear Indifferent as 10 now
the club plays; and the supporters oil the CLUB VIII
soon show the same indifference by keeping away
| from The grounds. DclrOlps wonderful aggregation
| Of baseball talent from the West will be at tho Polo
Grounds on the closing days OF the present week.
People shudder when they think what niue respect
will DO shown Tor tho curves OF Welch, George ana
| Roach by the Western batters'
tmakes me sigh for what the great tolly Lewis,
| n. Cinonnati used to GILL the hal yoon days SAID
AN OF baseball reporter at tho Polo Grounds on hurs
! day "Thore's TOO much geometry on the ground and
too little science in the playing Ia give my Hnt 70
ace Fred Waterman pick up daisy-cutter at thir, or
| Georpe Wright throw ball to 'Bushef oasKet
! Charley Gould this pleased minute George always
| had time 10 throw no matter where the hit IL was
an uolv hall that made him lose the clover blossom
out OF his mouth in lSG9'
Pm surprised said old baseball emil usiast tue
other dav that with all the talk about improved ana
sciennc hall plaync little headwOrk II shown In
,hc geIJ II seems as II since they eniyened the hall
ali tne inlelders al afraid OF it, Tremendous strides
are supposed to have made during the last twenty
v.nrs 61t II the old Red Stockings bad ever tumbled
over the ball rs much the red legged fellows dd To-
| day they would nave gone to Harry Wright In BODY
| and applied for reduction Oh salary
Tbore i,a prospect OF a lively quarrel between
! Direc,or Watrous of the Metropolitan clap, and
! Manager Becannon OF the New-lork reserves. II IL
Becanon's intention to play his Reserves at the Polo
G.o"nJ. during the absence OF the regular League
| club ON it, tour. The Metropotans Will play at
ST. George, Staten Island, at the same time Hence